The sensor which senses changes in temperature known as a temperature sensor. This page covers the advantages and disadvantages of a temperature sensor. This article covers the advantages and disadvantages of thermocouple, RTD and Thermistor.

Advantages and disadvantages of temperature sensor | thermocouple

Advantages or benefits of thermocouple:

Very wide temperature range about -200oC to +2500oC

Fast response time

They are a simple construction

Low initial cost

Durable

Easy to read has a clear screen and good scale

Quick response for any temperature changes

Precision accuracy in temperature measurement

It is not easily broken good durability

Good to be used temperature variation measurement with below 1 cm distance range

Available in small sheath sizes

Not required bridge circuit

Good accuracy

Does not required bridge circuit

Good reproducibility

High-speed response

They are rugged

They are a self-power active device

Disadvantages or drawback of thermocouple:

Not as stable as RTD

Recalibration is difficult

More susceptible to RFI/EMI

They are nonlinear

It is used for only temperature measurement only

They have a low output voltage

Less sensitivity

They require a reference for operation

The stray voltage pick up is possible

As output voltage is very small so it needs amplification

Decreased accuracy comparing to RTD

Difficult to verify

Require expensive TC wire from the sensor to recording device

The cold junction and lead compensation is essential

Advantages and disadvantages of temperature sensor | RTD

Advantages or benefits of RTD:

Very stable output

Most accurate

Linear and predictable

High accuracy

High repeatability

Good precision

Low Drift

More linearity compare to a thermocouple

No special wire required for installation, easily install and update

It is available for in wide range

It can be used to measure differential temperature

No necessity of temperature compensation

Stability maintained over a long period of time

They are suitable for remote indication

Easy to verify and recalibrate

RTD does not require a special extension cable

Disadvantages or drawback of RTD:

High initial cost

Low sensitivity

It requires a more complex measurement circuit

Large bulb size

Low absolute resistance

Current source needed

Less rugged in a high vibration environment

A bridge circuit is needed with power supply

Shock and vibrations affect the reading

Point sensing is not possible

A circuit is little more complicated as it 34/4 wire measurement

Costlier as compared to other sensors like thermocouples

Slower response time than a thermocouple

More limited temperature range

Possibility of self-healing

Power supply failure can cause an erroneous reading

It can be avoided in industries for ranges above 650 deg. C

The RTD requires more complex measurement circuit

Advantages and disadvantages of temperature sensor | thermistor

Advantages or benefits of thermistor:

It is a small size

Highly sensitive allows them to work well over a small temperature range

They are more sensitive than other temperature sensors

Easy to use

They are fast in operation

It has good sensitivity in NTC region

Fast response over the narrow temperature range

Cost is low

Very responsive to changes in temperature

High accurate

Repeatable

It does not require contact and leads resistance problem not occurred due to large resistance

Options for customization

Easily interfaced to electronics instrumentation

it requires a standard two-wire connection system means they are compatible with many devices

Disadvantages or drawback of thermistor:

Thermistor need for shielding power lines

Extremely non-linear

Passive

The thermistor is not suitable for a large temperature range

The resistance temperature characteristics are nonlinear

Narrow working temperature range compared to other sensors such as RTD and thermocouple